The problem of franchising Flynn.

So I keep seeing people say, "Franchise Flynn and trade him for a 1 or 2, or more draft picks". Well there seems to be a misunderstanding of exactly what can and cannot happen with the franchise tag. So let's take a look at it.

Say the Packer put the non-exclusive franchise tag on Flynn. What does this mean. It means if Flynn signs the offer the Packers have to pay him somewhere around $14 million. Now we all know they don't want to do that. So they want to trade him. This is were the problem comes in. If he signs the offer right away not a problem. The Packers can trade him and get what they can. However, if he signs and the Packers trade him, there is no provision for a minimum number of draft picks. If Flynn does not sign, the Packers cannot trade him. You can't trade a player that is not under contract.

Now, under the non-exclusive tag, Flynn can go out and attempt to make a deal with another team of his choosing, but that team would have to be willing to give up the draft picks per the CBA. Which is currently 2 first round picks. Now, I don't see any team giving up 2 first rounders for Flynn, so that team would more than likely negotiate with the Packers on draft picks. And if the Packer don't move on the picks, (there is nothing in the CBA that prevents the possibility of negotiating different draft picks.) the team pulls it's offer from Flynn and the Packers are stuck with him. Now, the other part is this. Flynn does not have to sign the tender until sometime later.(haven't found he exact date yet.) So the Packers are left holding the bag unable to do anything unless he signs.

Now, the exclusive rights franchise tag means that Flynn can only sign with the Packers. And again, unless he signs it, they can do nothing. If he does sign, they can negotiate a contract and trade him. However, that $14 million, is guaranteed unless he negotiates a new contract. Again, he would have to sign in order to be traded. And whichever team they traded him to would have to agree with the contract terms. And again, no draft picks mandated by the CBA.

So while tagging Flynn and trading him sounds great, there is a certain amount of what ifs that would have to be taken into consideration by the Packers before they do it.

Ted will check the temperature on the market and make a decision. I think Flynn knows that he may be out of the league had he not played for the Pack and developed his skills under this great staff. I think he and his agent will play ball with the Packers front office and see what team is the best fit and then do a sign and trade to get the Pack either a player or 2nd day draft pick.

I still say the tag goes to Finley. If Flynn were to get the tag it would only be because there was a deal worked out before hand. $14 million would make him the highest paid player on most teams including the Packers. A team will have to have a new contract worked out before making a trade and let's be honest, a team will have to take a huge risk by working out a deal plus giving up 2 first rounders to a guy who has 2 starts. Matt Cassel had a whole season of work to go off of when he had a similar circumstance. I don't see the open market for Matt Flynn comparing to what a team will have to do to get him from the Packers in a franchised situation.

I still say the tag goes to Finley. If Flynn were to get the tag it would only be because there was a deal worked out before hand. $14 million would make him the highest paid player on most teams including the Packers. A team will have to have a new contract worked out before making a trade and let's be honest, a team will have to take a huge risk by working out a deal plus giving up 2 first rounders to a guy who has 2 starts. Matt Cassel had a whole season of work to go off of when he had a similar circumstance. I don't see the open market for Matt Flynn comparing to what a team will have to do to get him from the Packers in a franchised situation.

Click to expand...

I see Finley being tagged long before Flynn. I think Flynn is off to get his own starting career going on some other team.

Looks like the word is out that the Packers are trying to sign Finley to a long term deal. So it looks like someone else will be getting the tag. I still don't think it will be Flynn. Perhaps Wells will be the tag recipient.

The Packers don't have to use the tag. I don't see them using it on Flynn, regardless. The risk is too great of being on the hook with a backup QB who will be making nearly twice as much as the starting QB. If they were going to trade him, it would've been last spring. They chose to hang onto an outstanding backup QB for insurance, which thankfully they did not need, and the consequence of that is letting him walk as a FA.

The only way I see Flynn getting tagged is if the Packers feel confident, really really confident, that there are at least two teams out there that want to trade for him. That might provide enough of a safety net for the Packers to be assured that they won't get burned.

TT will not Franchise Flynn. If he is going to franchise anyone if will be Finley but I don't see that happening either. I expect he will come to terms with Finley and Matthews this year for extensions maybe even Raji. Then He can go int FA if he needs knowing where he sits in the cap picture (like I know what I'm talking about)

I don't think there are many people saying the Packers are gonna franchise Flynn. I think TT is a great GM, but when it comes to stuff like this he is out of his element. This would involve lots of deal-making and behind the scenes type stuff, and in addition the Packers would lose the franchise tag for the year.

Too many moving parts for Ted IMO...this will never happen. They will get a comp pick for him, and hope Harrel makes strides between now and camp next year.

So I keep seeing people say, "Franchise Flynn and trade him for a 1 or 2, or more draft picks". Well there seems to be a misunderstanding of exactly what can and cannot happen with the franchise tag. So let's take a look at it.

Say the Packer put the non-exclusive franchise tag on Flynn. What does this mean. It means if Flynn signs the offer the Packers have to pay him somewhere around $14 million. Now we all know they don't want to do that. So they want to trade him. This is were the problem comes in. If he signs the offer right away not a problem. The Packers can trade him and get what they can. However, if he signs and the Packers trade him, there is no provision for a minimum number of draft picks. If Flynn does not sign, the Packers cannot trade him. You can't trade a player that is not under contract.

Now, under the non-exclusive tag, Flynn can go out and attempt to make a deal with another team of his choosing, but that team would have to be willing to give up the draft picks per the CBA. Which is currently 2 first round picks. Now, I don't see any team giving up 2 first rounders for Flynn, so that team would more than likely negotiate with the Packers on draft picks. And if the Packer don't move on the picks, (there is nothing in the CBA that prevents the possibility of negotiating different draft picks.) the team pulls it's offer from Flynn and the Packers are stuck with him. Now, the other part is this. Flynn does not have to sign the tender until sometime later.(haven't found he exact date yet.) So the Packers are left holding the bag unable to do anything unless he signs.

Now, the exclusive rights franchise tag means that Flynn can only sign with the Packers. And again, unless he signs it, they can do nothing. If he does sign, they can negotiate a contract and trade him. However, that $14 million, is guaranteed unless he negotiates a new contract. Again, he would have to sign in order to be traded. And whichever team they traded him to would have to agree with the contract terms. And again, no draft picks mandated by the CBA.

So while tagging Flynn and trading him sounds great, there is a certain amount of what ifs that would have to be taken into consideration by the Packers before they do it.

Exactly this.
I just find it hard to fathom that NE can get something good in return for Matt Cassell, Philly for Kolb, but we can't utilize the same loophole to reap some reward for Flynn.

Everyone is mentioning Flynn being the 3rd best QB option for teams this off-season, behind Luck & RG3.
He's got tremendous value at this point.
Ted needs to capitalize on this rare opportunity.

Click to expand...

Well, Cassel had a whole season of work to go off of. Kolb had more playing time than Flynn as well and it wasn't a franchise tag situation. Flynn has had two really good starts against lower level defenses and most other playing time has been average at best.

I'm not saying Flynn doesn't have value at this point, but I don't believe it would be a failure by TT not franchising and trading.

And before someone says that the trading partner WOULDN'T have to pick up the $14M, yes they would. Even in a tag and trade, they'd have to trade for him under the stipulations of the tag. That tag is his contract. They can't sign him to a new contract until after the trade is complete.